Help with BCD-1!!

maligue · « **on:** 29 Nov 2009, 06:17 pm »

Dear All
I screwed up ... in my unbridled and irrational search for audio perfection. Earlier today I opened the BCD-1 to replace the fuse with an upmarket HiFi Tuning fuse. Put the unit back in the system, played music, noted some "differences" (?) and, as recommended by various people-in-the-know, decided to change the direction of the fuse to see if I discern an improvement in quality. Having done that, the problems began. First, loss of display, entirely; second - the power light comes on when the power cord is fitted, but as soon as I press Eject it disappears (remember - no display); third, by insisting on the eject button, the tray opens, the disc loads (who knows how); fourth, pressing play is a matter of several presses - but, fifth, there is music (with the new fuse, though I am hardly interested, you understand!)
What have I done? If the fuse is not the correct one, would it not simply 'blow'? The metal trim round the fuse reads: 250V T5A. If it is not correct, could it keep the player functioning even as other functions display and evidently the microprocessor - are adversely affected?

I hope James - and and anyone else with a sympathetic soul - will read this tale of woe and advise accordingly.

srb · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 06:36 pm »

I am a sympathetic soul......but of course I don't believe in "hi-fi" fuses. If it made a difference, at $2600 per unit, Bryston would have installed one. As far as people "in the know" - If it's a fuse on an AC power supply, it simply can't have directionality.

Okay, back to your problem (and I truly am sympathetic), as long as you haven't over fused it with one of a higher current rating, or installed a slo-blo instead of a fast acting type (or vice-versa) you should have been OK.

Now maybe something is wrong with the fuse. Have you reinstalled the original fuse? If not, I would do that.

It sounds like one of the ribbon cables may have been nudged and needs to be reseated. If that's not the case, it could have been a static discharge from your hand that may have zapped something. It's never a bad idea to wear a wrist grounding strap like one might (or should) when working with a computer or any component that contains sensitive integrated circuits. Although IC's are more vulnerable to getting zapped when not installed and grounded in a circuit board, it can happen.

I would replace the original fuse, check all ribbon cables and if nothing is resolved, wait for James and his technical elves.

Good Luck.

Steve

maligue · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 06:58 pm »

Thanks SRB
I should have added 'sixth place' - indeed I did replace the original fuse, but to no avail. The damage, whatever it is, has been done - like mortal sin, in case you believe in the hell fire.
Let's hope Jame and his band of blithe spirits find a way to sort this one ... other than, that is, a mailing back to Canada (I'm far from there!)

werd · « **Reply #3 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 07:38 pm »

Hello

Loose lips sink ships..... why didn't you just put the original fuse back in and claim it defective? Now you have gone ahead put your warranty in jeopardy by admitting to everybody you tampered with it. You should never have made this post.... Or maybe not.

srb · « **Reply #4 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 07:51 pm »

Quote from: werd on 29 Nov 2009, 07:38 pm

..... why didn't you just put the original fuse back in and claim it defective?

Because he's not a dishonest person?

Steve

gerald porzio · « **Reply #5 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:04 pm »

..... why didn't you just put the original fuse back in and claim it defective?

Because it was too simple & straight forward? Not every component lends itself to surgery on the kitchen table. Plenty of perfectly operating, fully functional units have met their demise there.

werd · « **Reply #6 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:11 pm »

Here is the best advice you are going to get here... obviousily Put the lid back on and let it sit for a day or two. If it doesn't work go back to where you bought it and dont tell them you took the lid off......

gerald porzio · « **Reply #7 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:21 pm »

Why even let it sit a day or two? Darken the dealer's doorstep manana. With luck you might make your dealer's Mon. UPS pickup. The quicker the trip to Bryston (who'll probably eat this repair), the quicker the return trip.

1ZIP · « **Reply #8 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:42 pm »

I'm not sympathetic.....and that fact nobody really cares is irrelevant

. I usually stay out threads like this because it's really none of my business. But this is unbelievable

I've gotten good advice from weird in the past and in the time I've been reading posts on this forum he has shared a wealth of information and has proven to be a valuable contributor. But, I'm stunned by what you just said.

, especially out in the open.

Even more unbelievable is someone that believes you can take a carefully thought out, designed and produced piece of sensitive electronics, especially a piece of Bryston eq. and significantly change its character by a "better" fuse.

Given I'm not an audio nor electronic whiz like most of you all and usually don't know what I'm saying but come on....what's next ....fresh air in the tires!

James Tanner · « **Reply #9 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 08:42 pm »

malique,

I can send you new software to load and hopefully it was a static discharge that screwed up the software?

Also I think there is a factory reset code for the CD Player which I will ask Mike about on Monday - maybe the resent code will cure the problem?

james

werd · « **Reply #10 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 09:46 pm »

Quote from: 1ZIP on 29 Nov 2009, 08:42 pm

I'm not sympathetic.....and that fact nobody really cares is irrelevant . I usually stay out threads like this because it's really none of my business. But this is unbelievable

I've gotten good advice from weird in the past and in the time I've been reading posts on this forum he has shared a wealth of information and has proven to be a valuable contributor. But, I'm stunned by what you just said. , especially out in the open. Even more unbelievable is someone that believes you can take a carefully thought out, designed and produced piece of sensitive electronics, especially a piece of Bryston eq. and significantly change its character by a "better" fuse. Given I'm not an audio nor electronic whiz like most of you all and usually don't know what I'm saying but come on....what's next ....fresh air in the tires!

Thanx 1ZIT

rob80b · « **Reply #11 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 10:07 pm »

Hi Malique

As SRB mentioned you may have nudged one of the harnesses or ribbon cables, so if you have the heart it may be just a matter of taking another peak inside and carefully making sure everything is seated properly from front to back.
This can also happen when things get jarred around in shipping.
Or as James mentioned getting the software reinstalled may hopefully solve the problem.

Robert

nikon · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Nov 2009, 10:10 pm »

Drew

'... why didn't you just put the original fuse back in and claim it defective'

I agree with IZIP and srb that your suggestion to maligue to be dishonest with both the selling dealer and with Bryston regarding the issue with the BCD-1 flies in the face of the purpose of this forum ...

ian.ameline · « **Reply #13 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 02:00 am »

I would not be dishonest -- especially with James and the crew at bryston. Just tell them what happened and they will take care of you. It may not be free, but they definitely won't rip you off either. These people really know how to take care of their customers.

-- Ian.

gerald porzio · « **Reply #14 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 03:58 am »

Altho this faux pas is the result of a minor mod, there's a reason some equipment proclaims, "No user servicable parts within."

werd · « **Reply #15 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 04:23 am »

Quote from: gerald porzio on 30 Nov 2009, 03:58 am

Altho this faux pas is the result of a minor mod, there's a reason some equipment proclaims, "No user servicable parts within."

Exactly and it was really only a small change. But none the less it was non-compliance with the warranty agreement. The warranty comes with the unit and is part of the price. I believe this unit is still on warranty only by age but maybe not. The idea is to keep the warranty intact here. You've paid for it and it's not cheap. You can do minor stuff like this and still not infringe on the warranty. Unless of course you screw up and start blabbing about it.

It's not lying or fibbing... god that is so pathetic you guys. It's looking out for your own interests. He wanted advice and i gave the best advice for the situation.

I would be more interested in who told him to switch out the fuse... ( a Bryston dealer maybe)?

wrathchild · « **Reply #16 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 05:07 am »

My momma told me, dishonest is as dishonest was. Disappointing to see an active fan and contributor suggesting to 'look out for your own interests'. Especially when the Bryston guys do so much for us. Why are insurance rates so high? .. fraudulent claims from those looking out for their best interests. Not to mention the built in price increases passed on to all of us to cover potential illegitimate claims. My sympathy goes to Bryston, who possibly feel obliged to cover x amount of claims they know damn well weren't their fault.
Malique I hope it all works out good for you, sorry you're out tunes for a bit, and cudos to you for being up front.

nikon · « **Reply #17 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 05:22 am »

Drew

Your attitude in your statement 'It's not lying or fibbing ...' is annoying and I for one do not subscribe to 'looking out for your own interests ...' at the expense of another person or company, in this case Bryston

I have visited Bryston on several occasions and have received exceptional customer service from Melissa, Mike and the crew to the point of them silkscreening a dress panel for an MPS-2 while I waited in their lunchroom!

srb · « **Reply #18 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 05:40 am »

I bought a Phase Linear 400 power amplifier in the mid 70's. It had 2 U-shaped heat sinks on the back. In between each pair of fins were the TO-3 metal case power transistors. The metal cases of the transistors were of positive polarity, and there were protective snap-on aluminum covers to protect them from accidental shorting.

I should have powered the amp down before trying to move it several feet to the left. I picked it up wrong and accidentally squeezed one of the the aluminum transistor covers hard enough to momentarily collapse it and make contact with the hot transistor case which fried two of the transistors.

I told the dealer and Phase Linear what I had done. They thanked me for my honesty and appreciated not having to chase their tail and try to figure out why the circuitry had failed.

It was repaired at N/C and I felt good about my honesty, because that's what my momma taught me. Excuse me for being so pathetic.

Steve

maligue · « **Reply #19 on:** 30 Nov 2009, 05:43 am »

Dear All
Little did I know - or expect - that my plea for help would give rise a discussion about ... ethics! I will not say I am among the angels, still it never occurred to me to 'fudge' issues and hide my responsibility ... least of all from myself. Something, finally, about 'conscience' (remember that fellow? ... comes through town from time to time!)
Regarding the fuse question ... well, sure, the good old law of not poking about in the innards of the device is golden. However, that 'we' - and I mean the average incompetent - continue to do so is easily explainable. Look at the number of reviews, the publicity, the discusssion on the fora, of the 'upgrade fuses' ... and it is easy to understand why changing a fuse seems very much like changing an interconnect! Plug it in and listen! (By the way: I have implemented these fuses in other equipment and have on each occasion registered an improvement ... cross my heart.) Presently, the BCD-1 is playing music, all the functions seem to be working, but the apparatus is 'stuck' in a permanent 'black-out' as regards the display. As I noted in my response to SRB above, replacing the original fuse does nothing to alter the situtation --- and the sound with the HiFi Tuning fuse is superior ! I am hoping that James and Mike can find the solution, and my thanks to them come what may.